Validity and reliability in research methods

The following video provides an excellent introductory overview to reliability and validity, including an explanation of terms and specific examples. Validity and qualitative research: But how can we compare the same measure with itself?

On one end is the situation where the concepts and methods of measurement are the same reliability and on the other is the situation where concepts and methods of measurement are different very discriminant validity. List strategies used by researchers to improve reliability and validity.

In this case, you get a valid group estimate, but you are inconsistent. If you measure the concept perfectly for a person, you are hitting the center of the target.

Finally, we see the "Robin Hood" scenario -- you consistently hit the center of the target. The first cell on the upper left shows the comparison of the verbal written test score with the verbal written test score. The cell on the lower left shows a comparison of the verbal written measure with the verbal teacher observation rating.

We could do this by estimating the reliability of the written test through a test-retest correlation, parallel forms, or an internal consistency measure See Types of Reliability.

This means that the results are generalizable and can be applied to other similar settings, populations, situations and so forth. Because we are trying to measure the same concept, we are looking at convergent validity See Measurement Validity Types.

Here, we are comparing two different concepts verbal versus math and so we would expect the relationship to be lower than a comparison of the same concept with itself e. When we look at reliability and validity in this way, we see that, rather than being distinct, they actually form a continuum.

Furthermore, imagine that we can measure each of these in two ways. Your measure in this case is neither reliable nor valid.

But here, we are also trying to compare two different methods of measurement written exam versus teacher observation rating. The participants of the study are the only ones that decide if the results actually reflect the phenomena being studied and therefore, it is important that participants feel the findings are credible and accurate.

Discuss the importance of establishing validity. If findings are corroborated or confirmed by others who examine the data, then no inappropriate biases impacted the data analysis. The four cells incorporate the different values that we examine in the multitrait-multimethod approach to estimating construct validity.

Qualitative health research, 11 4Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research Abstract The use of reliability and validity are common in quantitative research and now it is.

Define reliability, including the different types and how they are assessed. Define validity, including the different types and how they are assessed. Describe the kinds of evidence that would be relevant to assessing the reliability and validity of a particular measure.

On one end is the situation where the concepts and methods of measurement are the same (reliability) and on the other is the situation where concepts and methods of measurement are different (very discriminant validity).

The use of reliability and validity are common in quantitative research and now it is reconsidered in the qualitative research paradigm. Since reliability and validity are rooted in positivist perspective then they should be redefined for their use in. Construct validity is the term given to a test that measures a construct accurately and there are different types of construct validity that we should be concerned with.

Three of these, concurrent validity, content validity, and predictive validity are discussed below. Concurrent Validity. Internal validity dictates how an experimental design is structured and encompasses all of the steps of the scientific research method.

Even if your results are great, sloppy and inconsistent design will compromise your integrity in the eyes of the scientific community. Internal validity and reliability are at the core of any experimental design.